ABOUT
Sabani Tour
The nature and culture of Taketomi Island, in a single experience
The ultimate relaxation, aboard the sabani— Okinawa's living tradition of wooden sailing boats
The sabani is a wooden sailing boat passed down in Okinawa since ancient times. It has no engine; it crosses the sea by the power of the wind alone. Its unhurried form is a testament to how the people of this land have lived alongside the sea.
All you hear is the hull cutting through the waves and the sail catching the wind— and, now and then, stories of Taketomi Island from your boatman. We offer you a peaceful moment of surrender to nature's rhythm.
The sea of Taketomi Island,
found nowhere else.
Formed from uplifted coral reef, the sea around Taketomi Island is shallow and remarkably clear, with water so transparent you can see straight to the bottom. At low tide, sandbar islands emerge, and the contrast of their white sand against the blue sea is a sight you can only encounter from aboard a sabani.
The soft light of morning; the ever-changing colors of the sea. Come aboard a sabani and discover the beauty that only Taketomi Island can offer.
What Makes Our Tours Special
The sea of Taketomi Island shows many faces, changing with the season and the time of day.
We want you to savor that richness to your heart's content.
That is why we have created an environment where you can enjoy the sea at an unhurried pace.
The only sabani tour on Taketomi Island
We are the only operator on Taketomi Island offering experience tours aboard a wooden sailing sabani.
Fully private, one group only
One group per tour. The sabani and the sea become a space that is yours alone. No other voices reach you; there is no one else to think about. That stillness is the heart of this experience.
Guides who know the island inside and out
Our guides, captivated by the nature and culture of Taketomi Island, share its charms through their own knowledge and perspective—while always respecting your pace.
Our Story
Carrying on the sabani tradition of Taketomi Island.
The sabani once connected the islands of Yaeyama, carrying people and goods and sustaining daily life on Taketomi Island. The skills and culture of reading the wind, feeling the tide, and crossing the sea in dialogue with nature are gradually being lost with the passing of time.
What matters to Shu-kaji is not only preserving the sabani, but sharing its appeal with as many people as possible.
The pleasure of moving forward with the wind in the sail; scenery that exists only on that day, in that moment. As you enjoy it, we hope you will also come to know the island's history and culture, the lives of its people, and nature just as it is.
If the memory of one journey becomes a doorway to Taketomi Island and the sabani, and even a small force for carrying this culture into the future, nothing would make us happier. Protecting what the island has long treasured, and sharing the wonder of the sea—with that in mind, we take the sabani out to sea again today.
How the Sabani Tour Unfolds
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01
Meet your guide
We pick you up at the location of your choice, arranged in advance (your accommodation on Taketomi Island, the water buffalo cart stop, a bicycle rental shop, etc.).
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02
Head to the beach
We walk to the beach together while going over what to expect. The boarding point changes depending on the day's tide and sea conditions.
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03
The tour begins
Step aboard the sabani, and a quiet voyage begins.
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04
Land on a sandbar island not found on any map
When the tide is right, a white sandbar island appears in the middle of the sea. Step off and walk around, swim, take photos—spend the time however you like.
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05
Return and farewell
The experience lasts about two hours. Feel free to ask us for tips on how to spend the rest of your day.
FAQ
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The tour takes about two hours, including preparation and travel time, so please leave a little room in your schedule before and after. Please note that the start time may be delayed to suit the day's weather and tide, and the tour may be shortened for safety reasons. Our sailings are governed by natural conditions, and we appreciate your understanding.
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Staying mainly within the waters around Taketomi Island, we read the day's wind, waves, and tides and take you to the most beautiful and safest place. The route differs every time depending on conditions—at Shu-kaji, rather than heading for a fixed "scenic spot," we sail to wherever is most beautiful on that day, at that moment. The scenery itself, shifting with the wind and tide, is a view that belongs to this voyage alone.
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First-timers are more than welcome. No special experience or skills are needed, so please don't worry. Your guide handles the boat, but if you'd like, you can also try paddling alongside them with a traditional paddle called an eku.
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Children and seniors are welcome, but we make the final decision with safety as the top priority, taking into account the day's sea conditions and the physical demands of boarding and disembarking. If your party includes a child aged three or under, please be sure to consult us in advance so we can ensure their safety. If you have any other concerns, feel free to contact us. For safety reasons, we generally ask pregnant guests to refrain from taking part. However, this depends on the stage of pregnancy and how you are feeling, so if you would like to join, please be sure to consult us beforehand.
Book a Tour
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Give yourself to the waves and wind
Sabani Tour
A fully private tour of about two hours, limited to one group. With the sail raised and only the wind to carry you, the sea and sky of Taketomi Island surround you aboard the sabani.
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Into the untold stories of Taketomi Island
Island Walking Tour
Walk with a guide and discover the history and daily life of Taketomi Island that no tourist map can convey.
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Land and sea: all of Taketomi Island
Island Walk & Sabani Tour
Explore the history and culture of Taketomi Island on foot, then head straight out to sea aboard the traditional wooden sabani. A tour that lets you enjoy the whole island.
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A journey of prayer
opened by the nature of Taketomi Island,
for only ten groups a yearPilgrimage of the Wind
A fully private, exclusive plan.
Learn More
From the prayer before departure, through the sail, to the lingering calm after returning to port.
About four hours of travel through the sound of the waves, powered by nothing but wind and tide.
